Gas-fueled firepalce log



Dec. 10, 1963 R. R. DUPLER GAS-FUELED FIREPLACE LOG 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Feb. 116, 1959 RR mL 4w m u 3 0w R w A D N O M M RY Dec. 10, 1963R. R. DUPLER GAS-FUELED FIREPLACE LOG 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 16,1959 INVENTOR. RAYMOND R. DUPLER BY P W 0 ATTORNEY United States Patent3,113,611 GAS-FUELED FBREPLACE LOG Raymond B. Dupler, 744 Euclid Ave,Toledo, Ghio Filed Feb. 16, 1959, Ser- No. 793,388 3 (Iiairns. (1.158-4100) This invention relates to a foraminous casting and method ofmaking same.

The production of a foraminous metal casting has been a difiicult andexpensive ordeal, particularly when a large quantity of small holes arerequired. This problem manifests itself for example in making a castmetal fire place log or the like where a great many of very small holesare necessary for the escape of the air-gas mixture. To drill all ofthese holes is so expensive as to be virtually prohibitive. It istherefore a desideration to produce a metal casting which can beprovided economically with holes of the desired size and appropriatelyarranged, concomitant with the casting step so that when the casting hascooled, the desired foraminate structure is produced without furtherwork.

Objects of this invention are to produce a new and improved foraminouscasting and method of making same which satisfactorily cope with theproblem above recited.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appearand for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, an embodiment ofthe invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which I FIGURE 1is a front plan view of a fire place log;

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevation of the fire place log shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional view of the fire place log shown inFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section of a portion of the face ofthe fire place log showing one of the ceramic inserts; and

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional View substantially on the line 55 ofFIGURE 4.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a gas fire placelog structure which for example may be made from a gray iron casting andis shaped at the front to simulate a pair of wooden logs 11 arranged oneabove the other in stacked formation. As shown in FIG- URE 2, the backof the log structure has suitable upright end supponting angle irons 12and bottom angle irons 13, these being joined by a transverse angle iron14. Also in the rear and at the lower part of the structure is thehorizontally disposed gas admission pipe 15 which has a pair of upwardlyextending branch pipes 16. The usual air mixer 17 is disposed betweenthe outer end of the pipe 15 and a regulating valve 18. The branch pipes16 lead respectively to a pair of horizontally disposed gas plenumchambers 19 directly in rear of the gas emitting surface in thesimulated logs. In the front wall of each of the plenum charnbers is alarge number of small orifices 20 through which the gas-air mixturepasses to be ignited.

In accordance with this invention the orifices 20 are formed by aplurality of relatively small ceramic tubes or inserts 21, the rear endof which open into the respective plenum chambers and the front end ofwhich open to the outer surface of the log. The size of the orifices 20may be varied as desired but for the purpose intended may be of theorder of A of an inch in diameter. The length of the inserts may varyaccording to the Wall thickness of the casting but may be of the orderof /2 of an inch and the overall diameter of the inserts may be of theorder of of an inch. Manifestly these dimensions are only "iceapproximate and not critical and will depend upon the wall thickness ofthe casting.

It is necessary that the inserts have sufficient mechanical strength soas not readily to be broken or fractured. However, it is important thatthe inserts 21 be of a suitable material, such for example as porcelain,having a melting or fusing point substantially in excess of that of thecasting. Thus, the inserts are arranged in the desired manner in themold and the molten metal cast around them. If the melting point of theinsert is not sufficiently high, it will melt or fuse and close thepassage 20, and thus materially restrict escape of gas and air from thelog. Thus, it is necessary to determine the melting point of the metalemployed for forming the fire place structure and then select a materialfor the inserts which will not adversely be affected by the heat of themolten metal as it is being cast.

From the above it will be apparent that the fire place log structure canbe readily produced to effect the desired porosity quickly andefficiently and at a minimum of expense, thereby avoiding the highexpense of individually drilling the holes to effect the desiredforaminous structure.

As used in the claims, the expression ceramic" is to be used in itsbroadest sense to connote any material which has a fusing temperaturesufiiciently above that of the cast metal so that the metal may be castin a mold in which a plurality of the inserts 21 have been previouslyarranged without melting or distorting them to such an extent as torender them useless for the purpose intended.

Numerous changes in details of construction and choice of materials maybe effected without departing from the spirit of the inventionespecially as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A gas fireplace log and the like comprising a cast metal body, theouter surface of said body simulating the appearance of the surface of awooden log, a gas plenum chamber disposed within said metal body andadjacent said outer surface, a plurality of orifices arranged in spacedrelationship over said outer surface of said body, each of said orificescomprising a short tubular member of relatively higher melting pointthan said metal body, said tubular member being embedded in said castmetal body during the casting thereof and providing communicationbetween said outer surface and said plenum cham her.

2. The gas fireplace log of claim 1 wherein said tubular member iscomposed of a \ceramic material. I

3. The gas fireplace log of claim 1 which also comprises means forsupplying a combustible gas to said plenum chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS126,473 Mershon May 7, 1872 968,605 Ruud Aug. 30, 1910 1,604,783 PickupOct. 26, 1926 1,760,586 Devers May 27, 1930 2,025,331 Bullum Dec. 24,1935 2,025,458 Klein Dec. 24, 1935 2,122,132 Docking June 28, 19382,745,437 Comstock May 15, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 81,964 Germany July 17,1895

1. A GAS FIREPLACE LOG AND THE LIKE COMPRISING A CAST METAL BODY, THEOUTER SURFACE OF SAID BODY SIMULATING THE APPEARANCE OF THE SURFACE OF AWOODEN LOG, A GAS PLENUM CHAMBER DISPOSED WITHIN SAID METAL BODY ANDADJACENT SAID OUTER SURFACE, A PLURALITY OF ORIIFICES ARRANGED IN SPACEDRELATIONSHIP OVER SAID OUTER SURFACE OF SAID BODY,